John Smith (nephew of Joseph Smith)
John Smith | |
---|---|
5th Presiding Patriarch | |
February 18, 1855 | – November 6, 1911|
Called by | Brigham Young |
Predecessor | "Uncle" John Smith |
Successor | Hyrum G. Smith |
Personal details | |
Born | Kirtland, Ohio, United States | September 22, 1832
Died | November 6, 1911 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | (aged 79)
Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W |
Spouse(s) | Hellen M. Fisher Nancy M. Lemon |
Children | 10 |
Parents | Hyrum Smith Jerusha Barden |
John Smith (September 22, 1832 – November 6, 1911), was the fifth
During his life, Smith maintained strong relationships with his family members in the
Early life and background
John Smith was born on September 22, 1832, in Kirtland, Ohio, to Hyrum Smith and his first wife, Jerusha Barden Smith, during the early days of the Latter Day Saint movement.[1] He was among the first generation of children raised in the church. His mother died when he was five years old.[2]: 124 The office of Presiding Patriarch was first held by
This event left the church leaderless. By consensus, it was expected that the title of Presiding Patriarch would pass to Hyrum Smith's eldest son, John. However, because John Smith was only 11 years of age at the time of his father's death, the position was instead claimed by a younger brother of Joseph Smith Jr., William, and later by the younger brother of Joseph Sr., John Smith, who was known to the church as "Uncle John".[2]: 124 Smith was sometimes called "Young John" to differentiate him from his great-uncle.[2]: 99
John Smith was baptized into the LDS Church in 1843 and ordained an elder in the
Church service
On February 18, 1855, at twenty-two years old, the younger John Smith succeeded his great-uncle, "Uncle John" Smith as fifth Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church, following the latter's death.[2]: 123 In this capacity, Smith acted as voice in the setting apart of his younger half-brother, Joseph F. Smith as president of the church.[2] Although Smith was glossophobic and refused nearly every public speaking assignment that Brigham Young gave him, his patriarchal blessings were eloquent.[2]: 127, 135
In 1862, Smith was asked to postpone his duties as a Patriarch to serve a mission in Denmark in order to "gain experience".
Although it was intended that the oldest son of the Presiding Patriarch to succeed his father, Hyrum Fisher Smith did not succeed his father, Smith was succeeded by his grandson and Hyrum Fisher Smith's son,
John Smith was buried in Salt Lake City.[2]: 146 He became the longest-serving Presiding Patriarch in LDS Church history,[7] remaining in that position for 56 years, until his death from pneumonia on November 6, 1911, in Salt Lake City.[2]: 144 [8] During his time as Patriarch, Smith gave over 20,000 blessings, willing to travel hundreds of miles on horseback in any weather condition to give blessings.[2]: 135
Personal life
Smith was involved in
See also
- Patriarch (Latter Day Saints)
- Patriarchal Priesthood
Notes
- ^ "John Smith papers". Manuscript Collection Descriptions. Harold B. Lee Library. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ ISBN 978-0252021633.
- ^ Avant, Gerry (April 11, 2013). "President Monson Honors Final Church Patriarch at Funeral". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ JSTOR 23290538.
- ^ "The Martyrdom: The Prophet Seals His Testimony with His Blood". Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "Brigham Young: An American Moses". The Trek West. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "50 Years of President Packer and Church History". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ State of Utah Death Certificate Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
References
- Bates, Irene M.; Smith, E. Gary (2003) [1996]. Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch. Urbana, Illinois: OCLC 53077386. Archived from the originalon 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
External links
- Information about John Smith's autobiography
- John Smith papers, Vault MSS 803, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
- Patriarchal blessings given by John Smith
- John Smith letter to Joseph Smith III
- John Smith mission diary